Teerthana Giri, Kozhundeeswarar Temple, Cuddlore.

Teerthana Giri:    Arulmigu Siva Kozhundeeswarar.

This temple is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalams. The temple is about 18 kms from Cuddlore on the bank of River Pennai.

Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.

Dwajasthambam is seen in front of the temple.

Pushkarani here in the temple is known as Jambuva Thadagam. A sage was cursed to become a Bear which bathed in this tank and got blessed. Hence the name for pushkarani is Jambuva Thadagam.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree. Lord was given food under the tree. We see a Siva Lingam under the tree.

As we go around the prakaram we see Nardhana Vinayakar and other sculptures to either side.

Four Boodha Ganas are seen worshipping Vinayakar.

Sculptures related to Sthala puranam.  

 

Lord Dakshina Moorthy is seen sitting on a peetam with his legs folded. Four of his disciples are seen sitting near him. Muyalagan is missing.  Lingothbavar is seen at the back of Lord Siva sanctum, Goddess Durgai is seen to the other side of the wall.

Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sivakozhundu Eswarar and his consort known as Oppila Nayaki Amman in seperate sanctum. She is also known as Karuthadang kanni and Neeladhambikai. Sun rays fall on Lord Siva on 20,21 and 22 of Panguni Month.(march- April)

Lord Nataraja is seen in separate sanctum with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. This is something rare form. Here Lord Vishnu is seen with his counch and Lord Brahma with Mridhangam. Lord Siva is performing Ananda Thandavam to which Lord Vishnu is singing with is counch and Lord Brahma is playing Mridhangam. Darshan of Lord here is considered beneficial for who aspire for excellance in Music and Dance.

Here crop known as Thinai was cultivated in those days and it was used as Nevaidham for Lord Siva. Hence the place was known as Thiru Thinai. Now the crop is not grown and the practice is discontinued.

Lord Chandikeswara is seen with his consort in this temple.

Sthala Purana says a farmer couple who lived in this village had the habit of taking food only after feeding a Siva Devotee. One day farmer couple did not find any Devotee since Lord Siva tested their faith. At last they went to their field to feed workers who were also missing there. They waited for their return. An old man came there and they requested him to have food. Old man replied he will not accept food as free. He wanted do some work and accept food as wage. Couple asked him to plough the field and accept food. In the meantime they went home to fetch food for old man. When they returned they saw the crop was grown and ready for harvest.

They served the food for the old man under the Kondrai tree and asked him how he was able to do so fast. Old man after eating disappeared. Lord appeared and and told them he came here in disguise as old man. They worshipped and asked him to stay back in the place to bless them. Lord Siva stayed back as Swayambu Lingam in this place as Sivakozhundeeswarar.

 The plough which was used is seen in the temple now also.

Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Thiru Vadhigai, Thiru Veeratteswarar Temple. Cuddlore.

Thiru Vadhigai :   Thiru Veeratteswarar Temple.

This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The temple is also one of Atta Veeratta Sthalam.

The temple is about 23 kms from Vizhupuram in Banruti on the bank of River Kedila.

The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of seven tiers. There are three prakaram in the temple.

Mandapam and Dwajasthambam seen at the back

 

Sculpture to pillar in the mandapam.

We see Nandi in mandapam

Unique factor is Vimaanam of main inner sanctum is so huge; the shadow does not fall down on the ground. We see beautiful sculptures painted colorfully on the sanctum Vimanam.

Rear side of the Vimanam

There is beautiful sculpture to either side of the walls.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai.

Teertham is Chakkra, Soola and Garuda teertham.

 Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Veratteswarar and his consort known as Tripura Sundari Amman in separate sanctum facing east. Upper portion of Lingam has sixteen sides.

As we go around the inner prakaram we see sanctums of

Vinayakar sanctum, Tripuranthakar,

Dakshina Moorthy, Natarajar, Chandeesar, Sooryan, Bairavar, Naalvar,

Pancha Boodha Lingam,

Naanmuka Lingam, Thirumal, Arumugan, 63 Nayanmars, Navagraham, Tilakavathy, Thiru Navukkarasar, and 

Sekezhyar sanctum.

Samharam of Three asurars namely Vidhyunmali, Tharukashan and Kamalakshan by Veeratteswarar took place here. Brave action of Lord is known as Tripura Samharam.

Thiru Navukarasar was relived out of his ailment. Sundara Moorthy Nayanar was blessed by Lord and he acquired Thiruvadi Deeksha in this place. Tilakavadhyaar spent her time in doing service to lord.

Gopuram view, from inner premises of the temple.

Thir Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundarar, sang Hymn on Lord Siva of this place.

Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.

Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiru kazhukundram, kancheepuram District.

Thiru kazhukundram: Vedapureeswarar Temple.



The temple is about 16kms SE of Chengalpet, in Kancheepuram District. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.








The temple Raja Gopuram is of nine tiers.





































There is a 16 pillar mandapam seen with beautiful sculpture to the pillars.








The main shrine Vedagireeswarar is on top of a hill, which is regarded as Veda itself. There are about 500 steps to reach the top.








We see an arch and steps leading to the temple on hill top












Main deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedagireeswarar and his consort Chokkamman.



Tazhakoil :



The temple has Raja gopuram to all four sides and three prakaram inside.





















Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam, known as Bakthavatchaleswarar, and his consort known as Thirupursundri Amman in different sanctum.




Goddess Tripurasundari is Swayambu deity, so abishekam is performed during selected 3 days in a year. Rest of the day’s abishekam is performed for Padam only.








Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundarar, Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Manikkavachakar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.



Importance of this place is Vedas represent themselves as a mountain. There are about 12 pushkarani around the mountain.



Plantain tree is Sthala Vruksham and Sanku Teertham is important.








View of the sanctums from hill top.








While climbing down we see the tree.









Importance: Markandeya Maharishi, when he came to this place, he wanted to perform abishekam and worship Lord Siva. He was worried because he did not have any vessel to get water for the abishekam. At that time a Valampuri Sanku appeared in Pushkarani and moved towards Markandeya Maharishi. He took the Sanku and with that, he performed abishekam for Lord Siva. The teertham was known as Markandeya Teertham. From that time, every 12th year a Valampuri Sanku appears in that Teertham. It is also known as Sanku Teertham. Valampuri Sanku forms only in Sea. They say bubbles form in the pushkarani before the Sanku appears and OMKARA sound is heard, and the Sanku apperars and floats in the pushkarani. This is taking place till now. Main Preist takes the new Sanku for abishekam, and the old one, is preserved in the temple.



Sthala purana says Indra worships Lord Siva in this place. Once in every 12 years he worships Lord Siva in the form of thunder. There is a hole in the Sanctum Vimanam through which the thunder enters and worship. No damage is caused due to the thunder that hits



Sundarar worshiped Lord Siva and sang Hymns. Lord Siva rewarded him Gold.
Koti Rudrar worshiped Vedagireeswar in this place.
Once in 12 years when the planet Jupitar (Guru) enters in Kanya Lagnam, Laksha Deepa festival is performed known as Pushpakara Mela.




Two sages named Pusha and vrudha penenced in this place to acquire eternity. They were blessed by Lord Siva. He told them they have to wait for getting eternity. Sages refused and they were cursed to become Eagle. The sages took birth as Eagle and were known as Sambu and Adi. They made a pushkarani known a Pakshi teertham. There is a stone near the pushkarani on which the prasadam was offered. The eagles used to worship, Lord Siva and used to have the prasadam as their food during 12 noon.



For past few years the eagles are not seen. So the place came to be known as Thiru Kazhukundram.




Agasthiyar, Indran, Rudrar koti, Sapthamadhar, Chandran, Sanakadi Muni, Nandi devar, Brahma, Markandeyar, Vasishtar, Viswamithrar and Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here and were blessed.

Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.

Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.


The place Thirumarai kadu / Vedaranyam is about 45 Kms from Nagapattinam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam.







The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram.






As we enter through the main Raja gopuram we see a 16 pillar mandapam and the pushkarani is seen to our left.







As we cross the mandapam, we see small sanctum for Ganpathy.






After having darshan of Ganapthy, there is one more pillar mandapam to cross and enter in to the inner Gopuram of the temple





Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is One of 64 Sakthy Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thayagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Natanam.





Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram.








Teertaham is Manikarnikai and Veda teertham.







The temple prakaram is very big and it was full of water.



Importance: Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here in this place. After their worship the temple main door was locked from inside. There was another door from the side which people were using to enter into the temple. Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar reached this place on their visit to temples in the south. They were surprised to see the main door closed and came to know the reason. Sambandhar asked Navukkarasar, to sing on Lord Siva to open the door for devotees. Lord Siva was pleased by the Hymns, which he sung and the door opened on its own. Sambandhar was requested to sing to keep the door closed and opened here after. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva the temple main door closed on its own. From that day onwards the main door is used by devotees to enter in.



Goddess voice is melodious like Veena, hence she is known as Veena Vadha Vidushani.
So here we Saraswathy Devi without Veena and instead she is in the form of meditating with palm leaf in her hand.







Durgai in this temple is facing south and she is worshiped as Kaval Deivam.









Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvthy marriage in this place.



A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rate, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakkravarthy.



This place Thirumarai kadu is birth place of Paranjyothy Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilayadal Puranam.(Siva Leela).



Others like Manu Maandata, Dasaradha, Rama, Mavali, and Pandvas worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed.



The ”Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vruksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”



Sundarar Thiu Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan known as Melakkumaran.